Lau Gar (Traditional Chinese: 劉家; pinyin: Liú Jiā; Yale Cantonese: Lau4 Ga1; literally "Lau Family") is one of the five major family styles of Southern Chinese martial arts and is attributed to Lau Sam-Ngan (劉三眼; pinyin: Liú Sānyǎn; Yale Cantonese: Lau4 Saam1 Ngaan5; literally "Three Eyed" Lau), who is said to have been taught by Jee Sin.
There are three different branches of Lau Gar:
The Lau Gar Kuen system headed by
Master Jeremy Yau Kam-Wha of Birmingham,
England, who brought the style to
Britain in 1961, and went on to set up
the British Kung Fu Association in 1973.
Master Yau has several disciples and
students teaching throughout the United
Kingdom where there are currently over
120 clubs.
Master
Yau's Lau Gar incoporates a grading
system based on coloured sashes,
similar to Karate with White being the
lowest and black the highest (there
are six levels of black sash). These
are white, blue, orange, green,
yellow, purple, brown and then black.
However unlike Karate, the white belt
is only awarded after the first
grading. The style features mid-height
strong stances, many open-hand
close-range techniques, and several
kicks, few of which are above the
waist, most aimed at waist height.
The Lau Gar found in Mainland
China, the current recognised
Master of which is Xiao Yong Ding
(Siu Wing Ding in Cantonese) of
Guangdong Province.
The Lau Gar routines found in
certain branches of Hung Gar,
another of the five major family
styles, which do not come from Lau
Gar proper (see discussion), but
were originally a Mok Gar
empty-hand routine (Lau Gar Kuen
劉家拳)
introduced into the curriculum by
a student of Lam Sai-Wing named
Lau and a Chu/Chow Gar Mantis
staff routine (Lau Gar Gwan
劉家棍)
introduced into the curriculum by
a student of the Chu/Chow Gar
Mantis master Lau Shui, after whom
the routine was named.
Lau Gar Kuen is derived from a form of boxing practiced at Kuei Ling Temple situated in Kong Sai (Guangxi) Province in west China. It was learned from a monk on retreat from that temple by Master Lau Sam Ngan, "Three Eyed Lau", a tiger hunter, whom we honour as founder of our style. He is reputed to have earned his name because of a deep scar in the middle of his forehead which resembled a third eye. The style subsequently became popular over a large part of south west China. In fact all of the southern systems of kung fu are derived from 5 major styles namely: Lau, Hung, Choy, Li and Mok.
Towards the end of the 1800's Master Yau's Grandfather (Yau Luk Sau, pictured above) conceived the desire to learn Kung Fu. At the age of 13 he left Kowloon, now in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and travelled to Kong Sai Province where he trained under the Master Tang Hoi Ching. Nine years passed before he was given the right to teach independent of Master Tang.
Master Yau's Grandfather subsequently met the Master Wan Goon Wing with whom he continued his studies for a further six years, and whom he served as son until the latter's death. On his return to Kowloon, Master Yau Luk Sau taught only his family and close friends before opening his club to the public. During this time Master Yau commenced his training at the age of six. The training was conducted at the village community centre in Kowloon City (Gau Lung Sing) just outside the famous Walled City. His training continued for 4 hours a night 360 nights a year for 15 years.
Master Yau brought the style to the United Kingdom in 1961. The British Kung Fu Association was set up in 1973 and Master Jeremy Yau, being the keeper of the Lau Gar style, was invited to be the Chief Instructor. Subsequently Lau Gar has become Britain's most popular form of Kung Fu.